According to Smet, his government caused a break in the trend for the first time in 30 years. "STIB has never transported so many travellers, cyclists have quadrupled and for the first time there are fewer cars in the city," he said in a debate with the other Brussels' party leaders organised by Bruzz.
He also said that he himself felt how difficult the change was. "I swam against the current, withstood storms and even got death threats because I was 'against the car', but people need to realize that if you want better air quality, you have to have fewer cars," he added.
"By wanting to ban diesel or petrol cars in Brussels by 2030, we are ambitious and progressive," Smet said. The agreement in the current Brussels' government for a diesel ban by 2030 already exists, but it has not yet been worked out in concrete terms. However, a ban on petrol cars as well was not part of that plan yet.Related Content: Amsterdam plans to ban all fossil fuel vehicles, Brussels looks to follow suit
Maïthé Chini
The Brussels Times
